Train Chartering

Train Chartering - a year of on-time private charter Trains. The Train Chartering Company Ltd reports that the last 12 months has been a year of successful and punctual Trains.

Train Chartering arranges private Trains throughout the UK. The company also organises group travel in private carriages on scheduled trains. Here is a selection of some of the Trains operated during the past year that illustrates the range of clients, destinations and uses for a private Train.

Clients have included the BBC, EMAP, Coca-Cola and Unilever. Guests range from Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paul Nicholls and James Nesbitt to senior UEFA officials and Japanese prize-winners. Trains have run to the Ryder Cup, Ascot and the Open, as well as Olympia and the NEC. Event types encompass incentive travel, staff travel, corporate hospitality, sports travel, exhibition travel and film locations.

A Selection of Private Trains - Event types, Clients and Destinations

Event type: Corporate hospitality
The Unilever Train
Client: Unilever – The Board
Train: First Class Train
Date: 12th September 2002; one way journey;
Route: Par (for the Eden Project) to London Paddington, outbound being by air charter
Onboard: Branding, Catering – fine dining and bar service – lunch
Comments: The Dutch and British boards of Unilever following their annual review

The CECA Train
Client: CECA – Association of Spanish Building Societies
Train: First Class Train, 252 seats
Date: 21st June 2003; one way journey
Route: London Paddington to Bath Spa, returning via Stonehenge by executive coach
Onboard: Branding, Catering – fine dining and bar service – cooked breakfast
Comments: CEOs and partners of Spain’s financial community

Event type: Sports travel (Corporate & private)
The Ryder Cup Trains
Client: Ryder Cup Travel Services
Train: First Class Trains, 252 seats
Date: 27th, 28th and 29th September 2002; ‘day return’ journeys, three Trains a day
Route: London to Birmingham International for The Belfry, return
Onboard: Catering – fine dining and bar service – cooked breakfast & dinner
Comments: The Orient Express Trains Northern Belle & British Pullman and The Blue Train

The Royal Ascot Train
Client: Sports Tours International
Train: First Class Train, 252 seats
Date: 19th June 2003; ‘day return’ journey to Ladies’ Day
Route: Manchester to Ascot, return
Onboard: Catering – fine dining and bar service – cooked breakfast & dinner
Comments: This private Train replaced the Orient Express, in service elsewhere

The Open Trains
Client: Ryder Cup Travel Services and UBS
Train: First Class Trains, 252 seats
Date: 17th, 18th and 19th July 2003; ‘day return’ journeys
Route: London to Deal for Sandwich, return
Onboard: Branding, Catering – fine dining and bar service – cooked breakfast & dinner
Comments: The Orient Express (RCTS) on 17th & 19th; The Blue Train (UBS) on 18th. Private transfers to Royal St George’s made it easier to enjoy the golf

Event type: Film location
The ‘If Only’ Train for Outlaw Productions/Love Spell Entertainment
Client: Outlaw Productions
Train: First Class Train
Date: 13th December 2002
Route: London Paddington to Westbury, return
Onboard: Buffet car for cast and crew catering
Comments: Rare on board filming for a movie starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt and Paul Nicholls, to be released early 2004. Director Gil Junger

The ‘Passer By’ Train for the BBC
Client: BBC
Train: Standard Class Train
Date: 24th Sept 2003 for the Train; 29th Sept – 2nd Oct for the Depot
Route: London Euston to Westbury, return
Onboard: Tables removed and other cosmetic modifications by production
Comments: Rare on board filming for TV for realistic footage. Starring James Nesbitt and directed by David Morrissey. Broadcasting early 2004

Event type: Exhibition travel
The Buyer Flyer to the Spring Fair, NEC Birmingham
Client: Trade Promotion Services, EMAP
Train: First Class Trains, 336 seats
Date: 2nd & 3rd February 2003; two ‘day return’ journeys
Route: London Euston via Watford Junction to Birmingham International, return
Onboard: Branding; Catering – buffet car
Comments: The easiest way to travel to the NEC from London is by Train

The Buyer Flyer to the M&IT Show, Olympia
Client: CAT
Train: First Class Train, 336 seats
Date: 8th October 2003; day return
Route: Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Int’l, Coventry, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Hemel Hempstead, Watford Junction to Kensington Olympia, return
Onboard: Branding; Catering – buffet car
Comments: The Train is a natural choice, with the station at Kensington Olympia
Event type: Staff travel

The Lever Fabergé Train
Client: Lever Fabergé
Train: First Class Train, 252 seats
Date: 17th & 19th March 2003; two night stopover before return
Route: Leeds to Gleneagles, return
Onboard: Branding, Catering – fine dining and bar service – afternoon tea, dinner, return - breakfast and lunch
Comments: The easiest way to Gleneagles for this important staff event.
View the video at http://www.trainchartering.com/html/trainsonvideo.html

Event type: Incentive travel
The Coca-Cola Train
Client: Select Travel for Coca-Cola International & CCSB
Train: First Class Train, 336 seats
Date: 16th June 2003; ‘day return’ journey
Route: Edinburgh Waverley to Alnmouth, return
Onboard: Catering – fine dining - cream tea & dinner with bar service
Comments: A special Train to Alnwick Castle for winners of a global Harry Potter competition

Train Chartering (www.trainchartering.com) is a pioneer of a coordinated approach to sourcing, customisation and crewing of special trains for corporate & exclusive private events
Contact: The Train Chartering Company Ltd, www.trainchartering.com,
Simon Pielow, +44 (0) 1293 783 347, info@trainchartering.com